Bus

$776M in State of Good Repair funds awarded

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a combined $776 million for urban and rural transit providers in 45 states and the District of Columbia to help bring buses, bus facilities and related equipment into a state of good repair.

The money, which comes from the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) new State of Good Repair discretionary grant program, will go to 152 projects.

The FTA estimates that more than 40 percent of the nation's buses are currently in poor to marginal condition. In June, the FTA released a report, The National State of Good Repair Assessment Study, which estimated that the cost of bringing the nation's rail and bus transit systems into a state of good repair is close to $78 billion. The report drew on data from 43 of the nation's rail and bus operators in both rural and urban areas.

The State of Good Repair money was made available in response to the needs cited in this study and reflects the FTA's commitment to strengthening and modernizing transportation across the nation. The program is designed to help transit providers deliver safer, more reliable rides, operate more efficiently and lower fuel costs.

The campaign is similar to the one developed for subways, with the focus on reminding passengers that avoiding certain behaviors can ensure a faster and more pleasant ride for everyone. Reminders include step aside to let others off first; remove your backpack; and don’t clip your nails on the bus.

While Founder Matt George is interested in connecting Capitol Hill, K Street and Dupont Circle, it’s not yet clear if those will be the neighborhoods Bridj starts with. The start-up is encouraging interested customers to request specific routes on its website

Des Moines Area Regional Transit's 60-foot low floor articulated buses will replace high-floor buses and include newly installed ramps, remanufactured power trains, transmissions, engines and brakes. It will also be equipped with two ADA compliant wheelchair lifts.